HOUSTON — Billy Martin, who once served his country at a time of war, continues to fight but this time in his own home. “When I opened the door my heart absolutely sank,” said the Vietnam era veteran. He showed KHOU 11 News the damage vandals did last weekend when he was out of town. “They stomped on my computer screen and cracked it. They cut every piece of clothing I had including my shoes in boots.”

Police believe the suspects broke in through an upstairs window and spent hours destroying and defacing Martin’s property. Martin thinks someone is sending him a message. “The police tell me this was meant to send me a message to get out of dodge.” Martin blames the Forest Lake Townhome Association, that’s been fighting him for years over his flag pole. The association sued Martin to force him to take it down, claiming the pole stood on ground owned by the community. In February, a judge ruled in Martin’s favor. Read more: